If you’ve got suggestions to add, we all need to see them! Please email to admin@nepeanvoters.org. Annual plan updates will ensure all items are completely relevant & emerging needs are captured.
Mornington Peninsula Council and Wellbeing Plan
Mornington Peninsula Shire has developed a Council and Wellbeing Plan with a set of operating principles for how it will be delivered. The Council and Wellbeing Plan provides the framework for everything we do to enable elected representatives to best serve the community.
Theme 1
A healthy natural environment and well-planned townships
Vibrant and unique townships balanced with a natural environment that is protected now and into the future, accelerating climate action and celebrating cultural heritage.
Theme 2
A robust, innovative and diverse economy
A community with abundant and varied education and local employment opportunities. We are open to new ideas and work with our partners to grow a strong, diverse and future-focused economy.
Theme 3
A flourishing, healthy and connected community
An inclusive and creative community
that values safety, physical and mental health and wellbeing. A community with accessible services and transport to keep us connected.
Our Community Driven Area Plans have adhered to the three operating principles defined in the Council & Wellbeing Plan & represent the voice of our communities.
PORTSEA COMMUNITY VISION & AREA PLAN
With input and support from the following groups & countless residents:
Portsea Sorrento RSL
Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club
Portsea Camp
Sorrento Community Centre
Spirit of Sorrento
St Pauls Rd Action Group
Nepean Voters Action group
Weeroona Bay Swimmers Group
Nepean Historical Society
Sorrento Chamber of Commerce
Petition with 350 Signatures
Emails from Residents
Feedback from several Social Media Posts
Feedback from Sorrento Watchers & Stakeholders (FB Page)
Nepean Ratepayers Association
(*except where marked with red asterisk BY NRA)
History:
The pointy end of the Peninsula has incredible war time history, with battlements all around, and the feel of brave men in the air. It is where a Prime Minister was lost at sea, and where the quarantine station sits there like an intact museum. There is also an indigenous history which reports of the area being used for women to witness birthing.
A little further back up the road is Portsea Pier & Portsea Beach, as is well recorded, the beach suffered catastrophic sand loss due to the dredging of the heads for the shipping channel. This has been a constant source of aggravation to residents and visitors as a once beautiful and popular beach is gone. For a community that requests very little, it is unfortunate that they have had to endure such a loss.
This area also has an extensive National Park managed by Parks Victoria.
The vision for Portsea from the community is to preserve history & character, they are not looking for change, rather maintenance & upgrades for function & accessibility.
1. LOSS OF BEACH & SANDBAGS NEAR PIER
Over the years many conflicting reports have provided differing views on how to divert wave action, but there is concern that there may be other implications from that, and a heavy maintenance bill, the most recent report however seems to have merit. This means that water diversion tactics and financial compensation should be pursued until there are no options left.
*Plan B is based on the recent overwhelming majority in Portsea that have said “I would love to see Sea Baths” – maybe as a consequence of the ongoing conjecture. Whilst it will never be a council issue it is what the residents would like at least explored and even though advocacy is underway for the trench, perhaps it should be considered for the Sea Baths. The catastrophic sand erosion is the most obvious issue in the area and not addressed in the recent masterplan.
2. W.E. NEWTON RESERVE
Situated at the end of the shopping strip, this is also vital connection to the Portsea Pier which sees a lot of individuals and groups use it daily. Within the reserve there is a *toilet block which is slated to be relocated to the front of the area making it far more accessible, the major request that came out was that for hot showers. There is also a need for an all access playground for the numbers of children that use the current one, and also requests for benches for people to sit on. Vegetation removal/replacement in the current toilet area was also high on the list. There has also been requests for the new unnatural *sand dune adjacent to Newton Reserve to be flattened to restore the views. There is no need for a masterplan for this area.
- Revamp the north-east section of Newton Reserve. This would entail the removal of the front beach sleeper fence line and minor earthworks. This area could be grassed and enhanced with seating and barbecues. This would open up this park to the Bay enabling comprehensive beach views for visitors and residents alike.
- Replace existing moonahs on eastern Newton Reserve which are in poor condition with quality new moonahs and plant supplementary trees in accordance with original Village Masterplan and ensure maintenance and upkeep of these trees. Prioritise views of the water
- Enhance garden beds and vegetation including arborist report on trees
- Relocate rubbish bins
- Replace post and rail with cypress pine bollards
- Creepers under trees to be removed and area kept clear
- Any inappropriate signage to be removed
3. PORTSEA PIER
Cold Shower Residents who swim here every single day need a functional outdoor showers near the pier, cold is fine. Install 3x shower towers and a corresponding full length bench seat near the existing tap
Drainage. The drain near the pier is often blocked, this needs to be investigated and a permanent solution followed through asap.
Road to Pier. Needs to be resurfaced all the way to the pier, if funding can be sourced or donations made, pavers have been suggested.
4. PEDESTRIAN SAFETY
Hotham Rd (back beach rd to Melbourne Rd roundabout). This is a matter of urgency as for many years residents have requested safe passage along Hotham Rd. As a short and mid term solution they have requested vegetation clearance near property boundaries to keep them safely away from traffic – vegetation removal and a firm surface is not only a great short term measure, but may well be functional well into the future. Small children and pets have exacerbated the safety issues. This section of road is also desperate for bike lanes.
Campbells Rd Portsea. This has had many people complaining about the level of encroachment by residents leaving nowhere for pedestrians to walk except for the entirely narrow roadway – good deal for developers, bad outcome for residents.
5. PEDESTRIAN ISLAND FOR SAFETY & ACCESSIBILITY
Hotham Rd near Baked in Portsea. A pedestrian island would be great for pedestrians to cross the road for a coffee & also for traffic calming, could be built into a chicane. Pedestrian islands have been used on Pt Nepean Road in areas with higher speed limits (eg Westmore)
6. ROUNDABOUT
Melbourne rd Roundabout at Hotham Rd. This is the only way trucks get to Portsea, this roundabout should be flat to make their passage easier – other roundabouts should be flat where it improves access.
7. IMPROVED BEACH ACCESS
Throughout Portsea current timber stairs are in need of repair or replacement, they are dangerous & have been affected by sand loss/gain. Ideally the systematic replacement of steps with timber ramps along the foreshore bay beach would be ideal, with a board walk section for those in wheelchairs or have pushers. Definitely no plastics or recycled plastics in this area. There will be no new beach access points through DEECA, so it will have to depend on the reinstated trail linking to existing points.
8. SHELLY BEACH SHOWER, DOG SHOWER & TAP/BOWL
Shelly Beach. This popular beach and dog beach requires a shower, dog shower, tap and bowl for dogs situated in the carpark area. Ideally a toilet would be great
9. VEGETATION REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT
Pt Nepean Rd Portsea. The Monterey Cypress between Portsea Camp and the Portsea Pub have received many complaints about the danger of falling branches, luckily no one has been injured. For years residents have automatically expected that the Monterey Cypress will be removed due to safety concerns and replaced with Norfolk Pines as is fitting with this area. There are other areas where Monterey Cypress in end of life condition can be replaced with Norfolk Pines.
Roadside Vegetation on Pt Nepean Rd. Remove scrappy vegetation and weeds, this is an eyesore all the way to Blairgowrie and a fire hazard.
Newton Reserve. There have been requests for scrub like trees to be removed from near the Newton Reserve toilet and the small area on the Le Cupucin side to enable clear views of the water – it is a stunning view. Also requests for public tables and chairs. Replacement vegetation would be indigenous ground covers.
Encroachment A number of properties have significantly encroached onto roadside reserves with vegetation and fences, this is a source of irritation for neighbours and should be addressed by council or residents to the satisfaction of pedestrians
10. DRAINAGE
Road Drainage There are issues with lack of drainage assets (drains) especially with water running off Pt Nepean Rd onto unmade side streets, a solution would be appreciated by residents. Also consideration should be given to making roads as requested – please note a lot of residents want their roads left unmade.
11. PERCY CERUTTY OVAL
Toilets. There needs to be toilets at this facility that are open to the public, recently the old toilet was demolished and there have been calls for a new one. There needs to be access to the pavilion toilet.
Parking area and road into facility. Huge potholes need to be routinely filled, this is a busy area and the holes can become huge. It may be worthwhile considering sealing this area depending on cost of filling potholes.
Tennis courts. Regular maintenance required to keep the weeds down.
Oval. This area is used as a leash free area for dogs when sport is not being played. There have been many calls for dog waste bags, dog drinking facility and adequate bins – they are small requests that would make a big difference. There have also been requests for more seating.
12. SHOPPING STRIP TREES & LANDSCAPING
Inappropriate Trees. It has been mentioned several times that the inclusion of a couple of potentially large trees in the shopping precinct may not be ideal, can an arborist who knows the area please check? This area used to have magnificent Monterey Cypress, but Norfolk Pines would bring back some grandeur. Portsea Shopping precinct currently looks a mess with a strange mix of unsuitable vegetation.
13. TREATED PINE POST & RAIL
The dated and dangerous /poisonous treated pine post and rail should be replaced with traditional 140 x 140mm cypress bollards for a classic look and better function, some are already near Portsea Camp. It would be great if the material could be harvested from the Monterey Cypress that will be removed throughout the ward.
14. RUBBISH ENTERING THE BAY
We need to top rubbish & plastic entering the bay. Gross Pollutant Traps (GPT’s) should be installed and maintained on stormwater outfalls to stop plastics and other rubbish from entering the water.
15. PEDESTRIAN LINKS/NATURE TRAILS
Activate our nature trails for accessible walks for community – Shelly Beach to Portsea Camp to Police Point via a trail similar to millionaires walk. May include vegetation removal, firming surface. Consider trail markers, sensory trail and historic info with QR codes and short archive pics/videos for people to smell, touch, read, watch etc.